HARARE —
The United States of America is extending its President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief’s support for an additional five years for all nations, including Zimbabwe which needs funds for tackling infectious diseases.

This was revealed on Wednesday by U.S Deputy Chief of mission to Zimbabwe, Robert Scott, while officiating at the handover of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and Chitungwiza Opportunistic Infections Clinic Shed funded by PEPFAR in collaboration with the government and the Zimbabwe Infectious Prevention and Control Project (ZIPCOP) through a cooperative agreement with the Centre for Disease Control (CDC-USA).

The equipment is expected to be used for reducing infections, including airborne diseases such as tuberculosis, and blood borne diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.

The Ministry of Health is concerned about these acquired infections.

Guest of Honour at the ceremony, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr. Paul Chimedza, said the objectives of the ZIPCOP project, now in its second year, are to improve Personal Protective Equipment for 100 targeted facilities and the renovation of 10 Health facilities within the five year period.

Scott said the PEPFAR, through the Centre for Disease Control Zimbabwe, is providing $4 million to support the Zimbabwe Infection Prevention and Control Project in undertaking a series of renovations.

Meanwhile, ZIPCOP director, which is under the implementation of Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI), Professor Val Robertson, emphasized the importance of protecting patients.

Government has revealed that the project has procured and distributed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth $40,000 for the first 20 targeted sites this year alone.